Bethany Jacobson's older son joined the marines when he turned 18 and was deployed to Iraq in 2004, at which point Bethany, with the encouragement of her son, began to speak out against the war in Iraq "for the boys", as part of Military Families Speak Out.
A visit with three members of the Restored Israel Of Yahwah, a religious group from southern New Jersey whose members practice religious pacifism, including their refusal to pay Federal taxes because they go primarily for war.
The organization was founded by Leo J. Volpe, known by members of the group as the prophet Jeremiah. Group efforts are concentrated around Bible study and insights, and faithful adherence to the Biblical truths, including preparation for the end times prophesied in the Book of Revelation.
Julie Harnisch has been a teacher, administrator and advocate for Children's House Montessori School of Eau Claire, Wisconsin since 1980.
Children's House Montessori School of Eau Claire is Montessori education in line with the vision and principles originally developed by Maria Monessori for schools in the slums of Rome, Italy. Children's House students are primarily (70%) from at-risk/low income families in Eau Claire, mixing races, cultures and socioeconomic levels in a fertile place to grown and learn.
Julie Harnisch grew up American Baptist but finds her inspiration and support primarily in the experience and inspiration of Montessori education.
Kaia Simon Power is a lifelong Roman Catholic very attuned to religion as a continuous spiritual journey and mystery.
Sarah Pederson is owner of Gaia Massage and has recently completed training as a yoga teacher. She combines the fruits of her Roman Catholic upbringing with her deep interest in Eastern spirituality as part of her spiritual journey.
Through Gaia Massage, located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Sarah provides Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology, Usui Reiki and Jin Shin Acupressure.
Gaylord Oppegard served in the military from 1962-1965. But it was not until 2004 and after 30 years as a Methodist, that he took part in his first action opposing war and standing for peace.
Michelle Lyons has a BA in Religious Studies with a minor in Legal Studies, and is currently pursuing a BFA in Interior Design.
Having been raised by Buddhist parents and having attended Catholic high school, Michelle profited from her BA in Religious Studies to sort out her own views and opinions.
Uzi Weingarten started teaching Communicating with Compassion about 10 years ago, a way of listening with empathy which transforms workplaces as well as personal relationships. Uzi is a Rabbi, a teacher and a compassionate presence.
Communicating with Compassion is an organization and a course of study. Uzi Weingarten and Marlene Strom both present courses on different aspects of communication. Uzi has presented his course in a variety of settings, religious and secular, He is currently helping the staff and administration at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to learn to treat one another and clients with respect and dignity. You can learn about their offerings at UziTeaches.com.
J.E. McNeil, of the Center on Conscience & War describes the message and work of that organization, helping those seeking conscientious objector status, and those in the military seeking to get out, whatever the reason, and the spiritual roots that led her to this work.
The Center on Conscience & War was established in 1940 to defend and extend the rights of conscientious objectors and support all those who question participation in war, including staffing calls for the G.I. Rights Hotline. J.E. speaks of her work as a tax attorney for the poor, defending the rights of protesters and war tax resisters, serving the CCO, and of her journey from her Texas childhood as a conservative Methodist to her life as a Quaker active with the Friends Meeting of Washington.
Music Featured:
Jill Sternberg was the first graduate of UW-Milwaukee's Peace Studies Program she is the Sept/Oct 2005 Gamaliel Chair in Peace & Justice. She has established a peace center in East Timor, training men and women in non-violence. Jill self-designed the first Peace Studies Major at UW-Milwaukee and has established herself as a gifted and creative leader. She has spent extensive time in the Philippines and East Timor, establishing a peace center, training women and men in non-violence, and developing intercultural mediation teams (just ‘Google’ Jill Sternberg and be amazed at her work and energy.)